Flowers

~7-Harry~

Trigger Warnings!!! Homophobia and violence

I wait anxiously by the door to our room as Draco finishes packing his trunk. He glances over at me.

"I don't have to go." He says. "I'll stay. Or you can come with me."

"You're going," I say, walking over and kneeling to hug him. "But as you said, your mother doesn't know you're gay. She still thinks we hate each other. I love you, but I don't want to separate you from your only living family."

He kisses me. "I'm still going to miss you. And I doubt she'd disown me."

"It's only three days!" I mumble, kissing back. "But I'll miss you too." He wraps his arms around my waist.

"What time is it?" He asks.

"Time for you to head over to McGonagall's office. You have to go soon." I groan as his kiss turns more desperate. "Draco, you really need to go."

"Please?" He pulls away, gazing at me with sad eyes.

"Draco," I warn.

"I just- I don't like leaving you alone. Some of the students are always looking at you. Like they want to hurt you." His lip trembles as he gazes down at me.

"I'll be fine." I nestle against him. "No one's going to hurt me."

He hums doubtfully, pulling me against him again. "Don't walk around alone. Keep the Weaslette with you at least. She's scary."

I laugh. "Ginny's not scary!"

"Ginny? Scary? never thought I'd hear those words in the same sentence," a voice says from the doorway. We look up to see Ron and Hermione.

"Draco's being overprotective," I whine, hugging him tighter.

"Hey, that's my job! I'm your boyfriend." He pokes my chest.

"Anyway, Draco's late," Hermione notes. "He was supposed to be at Professor McGonagall's office 5 minutes ago."

"Told you," I mutter.

"If you weren't so damn distracting." He hoists himself to his feet, grabbing his wand and lifting his trunk into the air with it.

I get to my feet. "I'm the distracting one!"

"Oh shush you two." Hermione sighs. "Honestly Draco! They're only keeping the fireplace open for 30 more minutes then their closing it again. You're going to miss it!"

Draco shakes his head and walks towards the door. I fall into place beside him, sliding my hand into his. He gives me a small smile, his face suddenly paler than usual. I give his hand a comforting squeeze accompanied by a small smile.

We walk through the halls towards McGonagall's office. As we walk, I start to notice the stares of the passing students. Maybe Draco was right. He glances over, sensing my anxiety. He watches as my eyes flick around the hall, from one hostile pair of eyes to another, and squeezes my hand. I clutch it tightly.

Too soon we've reached McGonagall's office. We walk in to see McGonagall sitting at her desk. She gestures to the fireplace where an open jar of Floo powder sits on the mantle without looking up.

Draco sets his trunk by the door. A house elf appears and grabs the trunk before disappearing with a loud crack. Draco turns to me.

"Last chance to change your mind," he says hopefully.

I laugh. "I'm not outing you to your mother."

"It's not outing me if I want it." He pouts.

"You're going for your father's funeral, not to tell your mother something that might cause her to disown you." I scold.

He sighs, then leans down to kiss me. "I love you and she wouldn't."

"I love you too." I murmur into his lips.

"Stay safe." He pulls away and steps towards the fireplace, taking a handful of Floo powder. He throws it into the fire, calling out "Malfoy Manor!" before stepping into the roaring green flames.

I gulp down the dread that fills my throat as my boyfriend disappears into the ash. I wish I'd brought someone else to walk back with me. McGonagall glances at me from her desk, coughing pointedly. I start at the noise then walk towards the door.

I take a deep breath and walk out of the office. I'm not sure where to go. To my room? The library? Should I go find Ron or Hermione? What was my life like before Draco?

I decide to go check on me and Draco's hyacinths, our Herbology project. I walk out towards the greenhouses, trying not to let my anxiety get the best of me. A group of the fifth year Gryffindor boys passes by. Their faces light up with cruel delight as they realize who I am and that I'm alone.

"Where's your boyfriend Potter?" One sneers. His nose is large and pig-like. I walk faster.

"Hey!" A second snarls, grabbing my shirt as I pass. "Answer my friend!"

"Let me go," I whisper, nearly shaking with fear.

"Poor Potter." The first sneers. "Has the Death Eater abandoned you?"

"Leave me alone." I'm near tears. "He's not a Death Eater."

"You're right." A third grins, pressing up close to me and dropping his voice to a vicious whisper. "He's nothing but a filthy f****t, just like you."

I freeze. Their all the same, these bigots. They all use the same words and they never stop hurting. Just like Dudley. Out of nowhere, a fist connects with my face.

I reel back, my cheek stinging. Tears sting my eyes. Another fist to the face and my nose spurts blood, a nasty cracking noise still ringing in the air. A knee connects with my stomach and I double over onto the ground. Feet collide with my ribs and chest. I curl into a ball, protecting myself against the onslaught of insults and beatings.

"C'mon Potter." One shouts. "Fight back!"

A sob rises from my throat. I never wanted this. I only wanted to be normal, to be happy. Is that too much to ask for?

The kicks stop. I remain curled in a ball as they move on, laughing and congratulating themselves on beating the shit out of their disappointing savior. I don't know how long I sit there. The blood flows down my face, mixing with my tears. Finally, I move, stretching out my legs carefully and sitting up.

My chest hurts. My nose hurts. My glasses sit next to me, snapped in half with a lens missing. I struggle to my feet. There's no one around. The sun sets behind me. They're all at dinner.

I stumble up to my room, locking the door and blocking it from any unlocking spells. I manage to walk over to Draco's bed. I curl into a ball on the smooth sheets. I feel empty, with no tears left to shed. Draco's scent hits my nose, green apples and old books. The smell wraps around me like a comforting blanket. I drift off to sleep slowly, my blood and tears drying on my face.